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How to Clean a Kitchen Sponge...Correctly

We all love sponges. It is one of the best tools when we need to wash the dishes or wipe the stovetop. However, are you aware that without proper cleaning, a kitchen sponge can be the filthiest thing in the house? Or, are you tired of changing your sponge every other week to avoid spreading disease? Please stick with me for this 1-minute read for some tips to clean this most common tool in the kitchen.

- Use a microfiber sponge

Next time when you look for a new sponge to replace the worn-out one, consider microfiber. The composition of the material makes it dry faster, leading to fewer bacteria breeding. The diameter of one microfiber is 1/51 of that of cotton fiber. When you wipe the grease, oil particles are kept between the microfiber, rather than being absorbed into the fiber itself. Microfiber, therefore, is much easier to be cleaned after use.

Not satisfied with your sponge?

- Clean your sponge daily

A clean dish sponge decreases the chances of spreading bacteria. Wash it with soap water after every use. Choose a brand that is machine washable or dishwasher friendly to make the task easier.

- Soak it in a bleach solution every week

Mix 1/2 cup of bleach with 5 cups of water. Soak your sponges in the solution and wait for 10 minutes. The 1:10 bleach solution should kill off the bacterial effectively. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out all the liquid. Leave them hanging to dry completely.

- Microwave as an alternative

From time to time, make the sponge completely wet and microwave it for one minute. This way, most of the bacteria inside will be killed. Make sure you keep an eye on it when it is in the microwave (some sponges may catch fire). Or better, choose a brand that is made of anti-bacterial material, to minimize the bacteria.

Must-see before choosing the right sponge

- Don’t use sponges to wipe raw meat juices

Don’t use your everyday dishwashing and counter wiping sponge to wipe areas for the preparation of raw meat. Raw meat juices may contain dangerous bacteria that make people sick. In this case, use a paper towel instead.

- Rinse and dry before storing

If you are going to store the extra sponges, make sure to put them in a place that is airy and dry. Remember the fact that moist can encourage bacteria breeding.

- Change the sponge when necessary

All the above tips help you last the lifespan of a sponge. However, if you find a sponge has a bad smell, indicating a high amount of bacteria, it is better to throw it away and get a new one.